Antenna board assembly with wire receptacle and switch

ABSTRACT

A board assembly mounts in a panel opening of a television receiver and includes wire receptacles for receiving antenna leads as well as a cable connector for coupling to a source of cable signals. A tuner cable extending to the television tuner section is supported on the board and is connected to the terminals of the cable connector. A switch mounted on the board controls the connection of broadcast signals from the wire receptacles through a balun transformer to the tuner cable. Each wire receptacle includes a spring terminal crimped to a wire and inserted into a housing, and the housing includes a movable wire release portion. The switch includes a pair of terminals crimped to wires and having compressible contact portions sandwiched together in a housing. A movable switch operator opens and closes the contacts and is detented in one position by the contacts.

United States Patent [191 Horecky et al.

[4 1 Mar. 25, 1975 ANTENNA BOARD ASSEMBLY WITH WIRE RECEPTACLE ANDSWITCH [73] Assignee: Mol en Incorporated, Downers Grove,lll.

[22] Filed: Mar. 30, 1973 [21] Appl. No.1 346,442

Primary Examiner-Joseph H. McGlynn Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Mason,Kolehmainen, Rathburn & Wyss [57] ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl. 339/95 D,339/217 S cable connector. A switch mounted on the board con- [51] Int.Cl H01r 9/12 trols the connection of broadcast signals from the wire[58] Field of Search 339/74, 95,217 receptacles through a baluntransformer to the tuner cable. Each wire receptacle includes a springterminal [56] References Cited crimped to a wire and inserted into ahousing, and the UNITED STATES PATENTS housing includes a movable wirerelease portion. The 2 668 7/1955 Geblisco 339/95 D switch includes apair of terminals crimped to wires 2929634 10/1955Han.......:I:IIIIIIIIIII: 359/95 D and having compressible ContactPortions Sandwiched 2Z780i79l 2/1957 Morschel 339/95 D together in alwusing- A movable Switch Operator opens and closes the contacts and isdetented in one FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS position by theContacts. 6,803,194 9/l968 Netherlands 339/95 D 7 Claims, 9 DrawingFigures The present invention relates to an improved antenna boardassembly for facilitating the interconnection of 5 antenna and cablesignals to the tuner section of a television receiver, and toimprovements in wire receptacles and switches.

In many localities television signals are broadcast and are received byan antenna connected to a television receiver by antenna leads. In someinstances, for example regions remote from transmitters and apartmenthouse common antenna systems, signals are supplied by cable. In the pastit has been difficult to adapt a television receiver for one or theother types of signals.

Typically, the VHF tuner of a television receiver is designed to receiveunbalanced 75 ohm signals. However, many antenna leads for broadcastreceivers supply balanced 300 ohm signals. Consequently, televisionreceivers intended for broadcast transmissions customarily include aso-called balun transformer connected between the antenna terminals andthe VHF tuner for transforming balanced 300 ohm signals to unbalanced 75ohm signals. On the other hand, cable signals are normally unbalanced 75ohm signals capable of being coupled directly to the VHF tuner. Adaptinga particular receiver from one type of reception to the other normallyrequires a wiring change in the receiver or use of an additionalcoupling device or some other inconvenient modification. Similarly, whena television receiver is moved from place to place, the disconnectionand connection of antenna leads from the commonly used screw terminalsis an inconvenience.

In the manufacture of television receivers, typically connections aremade between the tuner section, the balun transformer, and the antennalead terminals. Further connections may be required if the receiver isdesigned to receive a cable signal. The mounting of these components andthe making of the various connections using conventional solderingtechniques involves sub stantial labor and expense.

Among the objects of the present invention are to provide an antennaboard assembly substantially simplifying the fabrication of a televisionreceiver; to supply an assembly containing all of the structure requiredfor making either antenna lead connections or cable connections to thetuner section; to provide an assembly wherein the connection of wires tothe various components is simplified; and to provide an assemblyfacilitating the adaptation of the receiver for broadcast and cablesignals, and facilitating the connection and dis connection antennawires.

ln the use of screw terminals of the type often provided for connectionof wires to television receivers and other devices, the terminal screwmust be tightened by a tool over a stripped end of the wire or over aU-shaped terminal member, if one is supplied on the wire. In order toavoid this inconvenience, wire receptacles have been developed whereinthe end of the wire is captured and contacted by a spring terminal.Examples of devices of this type may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,713,668Gibilisco and U.S. Pat. No. 2,720,634 Hart. One majordisadvantage ofsuch devices is their complexity and cost. Another is that theconductive terminal must be touched to release a wire, resulting in someinstallations in a possible shock hazard.

Additional objects ofthe present invention are to provide an improvedwire receptacle including an improved simple spring terminal; to providea receptacle including a terminal precrimped to a wire and inserted intoa housing; and to provide a wire receptacle having an improved wirerelease structure.

Many modern electrical devices and appliances make use of manuallyoperated switches. Although many types of switches are known, it wouldbe desirable to reduce costs by providing a switch having a minimumnumber of parts and characterized by great ease of assembly. Anotherobject of the present invention is to provide such an improved switch.

in brief, the above and other objects and advantages of the presentinvention are achieved by the provision of an antenna board assemblyincluding a board with panel mount means for attaching the assembly in apanel opening of a television receiver. The board is provided with wirereceptacles including spring contacts for engaging inserted antenna leadwires. The board also includes a cable connector to which a source ofcable signals may be coupled. Terminals of the cable connector areconnected to conductors of a tuner cable extending from the boardassembly to the television tuner section. Moreover, one of the cableterminals is provided with means for supporting the tuner cable.

in accordance with the invention, circuit means including a switch iscoupled between the tuner cable and wire receptacles for controlling theinterconnection of the antenna leads with the tuner cable. The circuitmeans includes a transformer, and transformer leads are attached bycrimping to the spring terminals of the wire receptacles and to one ofthe switch terminals. The other switch terminal is crimped to a wireconductor leading to a terminal of the cable connector.

in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an improved wire receptacle including a housing havinga cavitywith a wire engaging wall. A wire receiving opening extends from thecavity generally parallel to and aligned with the wall. A terminal isreceived in the cavity and has a base spaced from the wire engaging walland a spring leg slanting away from the opening and inclined relative tothe wall. An end of the spring leg abuts against the wall and serves totrap a wire between the spring leg and the wall. The housing includes amovable spring release means engageable with the spring leg for forcingthe spring leg away from the wall to permit movement of the wire betweenthe spring leg and the wall.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the provision of an improvedelectrical switch including a housing having a pair of spaced,interfacing support sur' faces. A pair of terminals each include acompressible contact portion, and the contact portions are sandwichedbetween the walls in compression against one another. A switch operatoris movable along a path extending between the contact portions to openand close the contacts.

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention maybe best understood from the following detailed description of anembodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings,

wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an antenna board assemblyconstructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear inverted ele'vational view of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the assembly of FIG. I, with a portion insection, illustrating the manner in which the assembly is mounted in atelevision receiver panel opening;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the assembly of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a somewhat simplified and diagrammatic exploded view of theassembly of FIG. 1 illustrating the manner in which various componentsof the assembly are interconnected;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the cable connector of theassembly taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view ofa wire receptacle of the assemblytaken along the line 77 of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the wire receptacle taken along the line8-8 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of one of the switch terminals of theassembly of FIG. 1.

Having reference now to the drawings, there is illustated an antennaboard assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention and designated as a whole by the reference numeral 10.The

assembly 10 is designed to be mounted in an opening 12 of a panel 14 ofa television receiver, only a fragment of which is shown in FIG. 3 ofthe drawings, and provides for simple and inexpensive interconnection ofantenna leads and coaxial cable to the tuner section of the televisionreceiver. The assembly 10 also makes possible convenient adaptation ofthe receiver for either broadcast or cable signals as well as convenientconnection and disconnection of antenna leads.

In order to establish connections with sources of broadcast and cabletelevision signals, the assembly 10 includes a VHF wire receptaclesection generally designated as 16, a UHF wire receptacle sectiongenerally designated as 18, and a cable connector generally designatedas 20. Associated with the cable connector is a tuner cable supportingstructure generally designated as 22 for supporting a tuner cable 24adapted to extend to the television tuner section. A switch assemblygenerally designated as 26 controls the coupling of the VHF wirereceptacle section 16 to the tuner cable 24 through a transformer 28.

Proceeding now to a more detailed description of the board assembly 10,the assembly includes a board member 30 preferably formed a molded,electrically insulating material such as a polypropylene plastic or thelike. This construction has the advantage of permitting much of thestructure of the board assembly 10 to be formed integrally with theboard member 30. In order to minimize the projection of structure of theboard assembly 10 beyond the outer surface of the television receiverpanel 14, the board member 30 includes a recessed face wall 32surrounded by a rim 34. To support the board member 30 in the opening12, the rim 34 terminates in a lip 36 adapted to overlie the boardsurface. When the board member 30 is pressed into the opening 12, a pairof flexible mounting ears 38 are deflected inwardly and then expand sothat serrated gripping portions 40 engage the edges of wall 14 at thesides of the opening 12 to hold the board 30 in position as shown inFIG. 3.

Through the provision of the cable connector 20, the board assembly 10is adapted to receive signals supplied by an external coaxial cable.Connector 20 includes a plug member 42 received in an opening 44 in theface wall 32 of board member 30. Connector 20 also includes a pair ofcable terminals 46 and 48 supported by the plug member 42 and adapted toestablish electrical contacts with an external cable attached inconventional fashion to the connector 20.

More specifically, the plug member 42 comprises a generally tubular bodyformed of insulating material and having an opening 44 extending axiallyalong its length. A threadedend portion 50 of the member 42 is adaptedto receive a conventional internally threaded cable connectorcollar, andthe plug member 42 includes flats 52 for properly locating the member inthe opening 44. Plug member 42 is inserted through the face wall 32 fromthe rear, and is held in place by means of three latching ears 54, 56and 58 engageable with a flange portion 60 of the member 42.

One important advantage of the assembly 10 of the present invention isthat connections between the various components are not made byconventional soldering, staking or other techniques. Rather, each of theterminals associated with the assembly 10 includes wire crimpingportions adapted to be precrimped to wires prior to being assembled withthe board assembly to the end that a substantial savings in labor costis achieved. This is true of the cable terminals 46 and 48.

With reference first to the cable terminal 46, this terminal comprises astamped sheet metal part including a spring socket contact portion62'extending from a shank portion 64 and receivable within the opening44 in the plug member 42 for making electrical contact with the pinportion of a conventional coaxial cable connector. Resilient lockingtabs 66 and shoulder portions 68 serve to lock the terminal 46 inposition within the opening 44 as best shown in FIG. 6. Pairs ofcrimping flanges 70 and 72 are provided for crimping to wires andconductive sleeves of electrical conductors.

Terminal 48 functions to provide an electrical connection with thegrounded shield conductor of an external coaxial cable coupled to thecable connector 20. Terminal 48 is a stamped sheet metal part includingan elongated shank portion 74 terminating at one end with a hook member76 receivable in a recess 78 in the nose portion of the connector plugmember 42. A slotted support arm 80 extends rearwardly from the plugmember 42, and receives a rearward end portion 82 of the terminal 48. Ascan best be seen in FIG. 5, the terminal 48 is moved axially relative tothe plug member 42 to insert the hook member 76 within the recess 78 andsimultaneously to insert the end 82 through the support arm 80 where aresilient locking tab 84 engages the arm 80 to hold the terminal 48securely in position.

In accordance with the invention, the board assembly 10 is provided withthe support structure 22 for mounting the tuner cable 24. The terminal48 is provided with two pairs of crimping flanges 86 and 88 crimpableonto the grounded shield conductor and outer insulation jacket of thecable 24 in order securely to hold the cable 24 and to complete a groundconnection from the terminal 48 to the ground conductor of the cable 24.

One important aspect of the present invention relates to an improvedwire receptacle structure best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 7 and 8. In theillustrated arrangement, the improved wire receptacle structure isutilized in connection with the VHF and UHF wire receptacle sections 16walls 146 18 of the board assembly 10. However, it will be apparent thatfeatures of the wire receptacle are useful in many environments.

Sections 16 and 18 are substantially identical with one another exceptin the manner in which they are interconnected with other components ofthe board assembly and with a television receiver. Consequently, the UHFwire receptacle 18 is described in detail be low, and similar referencenumerals are used for the VHF section 16.

In general, the Wire receptacle 18 of the present invention includes ahousing generally designated as 92 defining a pair of similar cavities94 each receiving an improved spring terminal member 96. A wirereceiving opening 98 communicates with each cavity 94 for receiving awire which is contacted and held in place by the spring terminal member96. Housing 92 includes a wire release structure 100 for compressingthespring terminal 96 to free an inserted wire without the neces sity formanual contact with the spring terminal 96 or other electricallyconductive structure. In accordance with the invention, each springterminal 96 is precrimped to a wire conductor. Although in theillustrated arrangement the housing 92 of each wire receptacle isintegral with the board member 30 of the board assembly 10, it should beunderstood that for other uses the housing 92 could be an independentstructure.

Each cavity 94 of the housing 92 is defined in part by a wire engagingwall 102 extending from the face wall 32 of the board member 30. Thewire receiving opening 98 extends through an end wall 104 in a directionparallel to and aligned with the inner surface of the wire engaging wall102. Preferably opening 98 is provided with a sloped, wire guiding mouthentrance facilitating the entry of a wire into the cavity 94 and alongthe wire engaging wall 102.

Each cavity 94 is further defined by a lower wall 108 opposite the wireengaging wall 102 and by a pair of side walls 110. In view of the factthat each housing 92 includes two cavities 94, the central side wall 110is common to both cavities. Each lower wall 108 includes a slot 112defining a locking shoulder 114 while each side wall 110 includes arecess 116 for positioning the spring terminal 96 within the cavity 94.

With reference now to the structure of the spring terminals 96, eachterminal 96 includes a generally flat base portion 118 flanked at bothsides by a side flange 120. As the terminal 96 is inserted into thecavity 94 through an aperture 122 in the wall 32, the side flanges 120enter the recesses 116. The recesses assure that the terminal 96 isinserted in the proper orientation, and moreover engagement of theflanges 120 with the forward ends of the recesses 116 preventsover-insertion of the terminal. Flanges 120 also assist in preventingbunches of terminals 96 which have been precrimped to wires frombecoming tangled with one another.

In order to hold terminal 96 in place, base 118 is provided with aresilient locking tab 124 which upon full insertion snaps into placeagainst the locking shoulder 114 as best shown in FIG. 7. If removal ofthe terminal is necessary, this can be accomplished by insertion of asuitable tool into the slot 114 to depress the locking tab 124. Eachterminal 96 also includes pairs of wire engaging crimping flanges 126and 128 for crimping to the wire portion and the insulation portion of awire conductor.

In accordance with the invention, the terminal 96 includes a spring leg130 in the form of a folded over extension of the base 118. As bestappears in FIG. 7, the spring leg slants away from the wire receivingopening 98 and is inclined relative to the wire engaging wall 102. Theoutermost edge of the leg 130 normally abuts in resilient contactagainst the wire engaging wall 102.

In order to depress the spring leg 130 relative to the wall 102, thewire release structure is provided. In accordance with a feature of theinvention, the structure 100 is integral with the housing 92, andincludes a shelf member 132 extending from the wall 32 parallel with andspaced above the wire engaging wall 102. Projections 134 depend from theshelf member 132, one

above each side of each cavity 94. In order to permit entry of theprojections into the'cavities 94, a slot 136 is formed in each' wall 102directly below the corresponding projection 134. In the illustratedarrangement where two side-by-side cavities 94 are provided, a commonshelf member 132 is used and supports four of the projections 134.

The material of shelf member 132 is somewhat flexible and resilientpermitting the shelf member 132 to be deflected downwardly by pressingwith the finger. In order to permit movement ofa wire between the springleg and the wire engaging wall 102, the shelf member 132 is depressed tomove the projections 134 through the slots 136 and against the springleg 130. Excessive depression of the spring legs 130 is prevented byengagement ofa lip portion 138 of the shelf member 132 against the topof the wall 102, and the lip is contoured to have a firm flat engagementupon contact. When the receptacle 18 is used with relatively fine wires,such as antenna lead wires, the spring leg 130 is depressed both forinsertion and withdrawal of the wires. With stronger wires, it may bepossible for the wire itself to provide the force required to deflectthe spring leg 130. After insertion of the wire, withdrawal is preventedbecause a wedging action results from the inclined orientation of thespring leg 130. Moreover, the angularly related edge of the spring leg130 bites into the surface of an inserted wire to provide both firmholding and good electrical contact.

Another feature of the wire receptacle of the present invention arisesfrom the shape and positioning of the projections 134. When relativelyfine wire is used, it might be possible for the wire to become bent ordistorted upon insertion so that it is not properly positioned betweenthe spring leg 130 and the wire engaging surface 102. However, when theshelf member 132 is depressed, the two projections 134 enter the cavity94 and are positioned at both sides of the wire receiving opening 98.Thus, an inserted wire is guided between the projections 134 and intothe proper position.

Turning now to a description of the switch assembly 26 of the presentinvention, the switch assembly functions in connection with the boardassembly 10 to control the interconnection of the VHF wire receptaclesection 16 by way of the transformer 28 with the tuner cable 24.Important features of the present invention are embodied in thestructure of the switch assembly 26, and it should be understood thatthe assembly is adaptable to many situations where a simple, inexpensiveand easily assembled switch is desirable.

In general, the switch asembly 26 includes a housing 140 which in theillustrated arrangement is unitary with the board member 30. In otherarrangements, the hous- 7 mg 140 could ,be independent. Supported withinthe housing 140 are a pair of switch terminals 142 adapted to beprecrimped to wire conductors. The switch is operated between opencircuit and closed circuit conditions by means of a switch operator 144movable along a path extending between the terminals 142.

More specifically, the housing 140 includes interfacing side walls 146and 148 and interfacing top and bottom walls 150 and 152 entending fromthe face wall 32 of the board member and defining a cavity 154 withinthe housing 140. The side walls146 and 148 are each provided with a slot156 defining a locking shoulder 158, and, as appears in FIG. 2, sidewalls 146 and 148 may include thickened central portions for thispurpose. Slots 156 extend to the front surface of the face wall 32 inorder to simplify coring of the slots and to permit removal of theswitch terminals 142 with a suitable tool. Each side wall 146 and 148also is pro vided with an abutment 160 for limiting insertion of theterminals 142.

In accordance with the invention, the terminals 142 each include aresilient contact portion 162 performing a dual function and therebysimplifying the structure of the switch. When the terminals 142 areinserted into the cavity 154 as best shown in FIG. 3, the terminals aresandwiched between the side walls 146 and 148 and are pressed againstone another. Due to this compres sion, the resilient contact portions162 assist in holding the switch terminals 142 in position. In addition,the resilient contact portions 162 engage the switch operator 144 in theopen circuit condition of the switch in order to provide a detentaction.

Referring now more specifically to the structure of the terminals 142,one of which is illustrated in detail in FIG. 9, each terminal comprisesa stamped metal part in the form of a metal strip having a looped endcomprising the resilient contact portion 162. More particularly, theterminal includes a base portion 164 adapted to lie against thecorresponding side wall, a first folded over portion 166, and a secondfolded over portion 168 slidingly in engagement with the base portion164. Consequently, the base 164 and the portions 166 and 168 form a loopclosed upon itself providing resilience of the contact portions 162 dueto deflection of the portions 166 and 168 and sliding of the portion 168along the base 164.

Each terminal includes pairs of flanges 170 and 172 for crimpingrespectively to the wire and to the insulation of wire conductors. Afterattachment to wires, the terminals are inserted into the cavity 154until their nose portions strike the abutments 160. The base 164 of eachterminal is provided with a resilient locking tab 173 engageable withthe corresponding locking shoulder 158 to secure the terminal inposition.

In order to provide for manual opening and closing of the switchassembly 26, the operator 144 includes a shank portion 174 slidablyreceived in an opening provided in a boss 176 formed for this purpose onthe face wall 32. The accessible end of the shank 174 is provided with amanually engageable button element 177 for pushing and pulling the shank174 between positions. Withdrawal of the shank 174 from the cavity 154is preventedafter initial insertion by means of a resilient locking tab178 engageable with the wall 132 within the cavity 154.

As noted above, one function of the resilient contact portions 162 is toprovide a detent action. For this purpose, the shank 174 is providedwith a neck portion or recess 180. When the button 177 is pushed toforce the shank 174 between the switch terminals 142, the neck 180 isresiliently grasped by the contact portions 162 to detain the operator144 inthe open circuit position of the switch. Further insertion isprevented by engagement of button 177 with the boss 176. When thisdetaining force is overcome by pullingof the button to the positionillustrated in FIG. 3, the contact portions 162 engage one another toclose the circuit between the switch terminals 142. If desired, theintercontacting surfaces may be coated with a permanent highlyconductive material such as gold. A detenting action is provided in theopen circuit position due to the locking tab 178 and due to the forcerequired to insert the shank 174 between the terminals 142.

As a result of the use of precrimped terminal members for the wirereceptacles, the switch assembly, and the cable connector, the boardassembly 10 of the present invention offers substantial savings in thefabrication cost of television receivers. In order to complete theassembly, the above described components are in terconnected to thetelevision receiver in the manner illustrated schematically in FIG. 4and physically in FIG. 5. The balun transformer 28 is of a conventionaltype well known to those skilled in the art and includes a core 182having an array of windings thereon in a standard pattern. Extendingfrom the windings are a group of ground leads 184 as well as a pair ofleads 186 and 188 adapted to receive a balanced 300 ohm broadcastsignal. Also extending from the transformer 28 are a pair of leads 190and 192 adapted to be connected in common and to provide an unbalanced75 ohm signal relative to ground. In fabrication of the assembly 10, thespring terminals 96 ofthe VHF wire receptacle section 16 are crimped tothe transformer leads 186 and 188. Similarly the transformer leads 190and 192 are crimped together to one of the switch terminals 142. Asindicated in FIG. 5, the switch terminal 142 and the spring terminals196 are then inserted into the switch assembly 26 and into the wirereceptacle section 16 respectively.

The tuner cable 24 is of conventional construction and includes acentral wire conductor 194 surrounded by and insulated from a groundshield conductor 196. The cable 24 is mounted to the cable terminal 48in the manner described above, and the ground leads 184 of thetransformer 28 are captured beneath the crimping flanges 88 and 86 ofthe terminal 48 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 in order to complete aconnection between the transformer and the cable conductor 196. Thecable terminal 46 of the cable connector 20 is attached by crimping tothe lead 194 of the tuner cable 24, and also to one end of an additionalwire conductor 200. The opposite end of wire conductor 200 is crimped tothe other switch terminal 142. The preattached terminals 142, 46 and 48are then assembled with the assembly 10 as indicated by broken lines inFIG. 5.

Having reference now to the reception of UHF broadcast signals, theseare normally received through antenna leads at the proper impedancelevel for the UHF tuner. Consequently, a pair of wires 202 and 204 arecrimped to the spring terminals 96 of the receptacle section 18 prior toinsertion of the terminals into the receptacle section 18. As indicatedin FIG. 4, the wires 202 and 204 may lead directly to the UHF turner 0fthe receiver.

In addition to providing substantial advantages in fabrication, theboard assembly 10 of the present invention adds to the versatility of atelevision receiver and makes the use of the receiver far moreconvenient than with known structures. The user of the receiver mayadapt the same for either broadcast or cable trans mission simply byoperation of the switch assembly 26. More specifically, the cableconnector is always interconnected with the tuner cable 24, so that thereceiver may be used with a cable signal simply by connecting anexternal cable to the connector 20. On the other hand, when it isdesired to receive broadcast transmissions, antenna leads are simplyreceived within the wire receptacle sections 16 and 18, and the switchassembly 26 is operated to the closed position in order to couplebroadcast VHF signals through the transformer 28 to the tuner 24.

While the present invention has been described with reference to detailsof the illustrated embodiment, it should be understood that thesedetails do not limit the invention as defined in the following claims Weclaim:

1. A wire receptacle comprising a housing having a cavity defined inpart by a relatively rigid wire engaging wall, a wire receiving openingextending from said cavity generally parallel to and aligned with saidwall, a terminal in said cavity having a base spaced from said wall andhaving a spring leg slanting away from said opening and inclinedrelative to said wall, said spring leg having an end spaced from saidbase and abutting said wall, and resilient spring release means beingunitary with a portion of said housing for engaging said spring leg andforcing said spring leg away from said wall in order to permit movementof a wire between said end of said spring leg and said wall.

2. The wire receptacle of claim 1, said terminal further including aconductor engaging portion adapted to be attached to a conductor.

3. The wire receptacle of claim 1, said spring release means beingintegral with said housing.

4. The wire receptacle of claim 1, said housing including a second wallspaced from and interfacing said wire engaging wall, said terminal baselying against said second wall and said spring leg biasing said baseagainst said second wall, and locking means on said base and second wallfor holding said terminal in said cavity.

5. The wire receptacle of claim 4, said terminal further including apair of side flanges extending from said base toward said wire engagingwall, and stop means on said housing within said cavity engaged by saidside flanges for preventing over-insertionof said terminal into saidcavity.

6. A wire receptacle comprising a plastic housing having a cavitydefined in part by a base wall, said housing including a relativelyrigid wire engaging wall extending from said base wall, ,awire receivingopening extending from said cavity generally parallel to and alignedwith said wire engaging wall, a terminal in said cavity having a springleg slanting away from said opening, spring release means supported bysaid housing for engaging said spring leg and forcing said spring legfrom said opening, said spring release means including a deflectableshelf member extending from and unitary with said base wall outside ofsaid cavity spaced from and generally parallel to said wire engagingwall, projection means on said shelf member extending toward said wireengaging wall, and aperture means in said wire engaging wall alignedwith said projection means and with said spring leg.

7. The wire receptacle of claim 6, said projection means comprising apair of elongated projections generally parallel to the desireddirection of a received wire and spaced apart a distance greater thanthe width of the wire, and said aperture means comprising a pair ofslots extending from a region adjacent the wire receiving opening.

1. A wire receptacle comprising a housing having a cavity defined inpart by a relatively rigid wire engaging wall, a wire receiving openingextending from said cavity generally parallel to and aligned with saidwall, a terminal in said cavity having a base spaced from said wall andhaving a spring leg slanting away from said opening and inclinedrelative to said wall, said spring leg having an end spaced from saidbase and abutting said wall, and resilient spring release means beingunitary with a portion of said housing for engaging said spring leg andforcing said spring leg away from said wall in order to permit movementof a wire between said end of said spring leg and said wall.
 2. The wirereceptacle of claim 1, said terminal further including a conductorengaging portion adapted to be attached to a conductor.
 3. The wirereceptacle of claim 1, said spring release means being integral withsaid housing.
 4. The wire receptacle of claim 1, said housing includinga second wall spaced from and interfacing said wire engaging wall, saidterminal base lying against said second wall and said spring leg biasingsaid base against said second wall, and locking means on said base andsecond wall for holding said terminal in said cavity.
 5. The wirereceptacle of claim 4, said terminal further including a pair of sideflanges extending from said base toward said wire engaging wall, andstop means on said housing within said cavity engaged by said sideflanges for preventing over-insertion of said terminal into said cavity.6. A wire receptacle comprising a plastic housing having a cavitydefined in part by a base wall, said housing including a relativelyrigid wire engaging wall extending from said base wall, a wire receivingopening extending from said cavity generally parallel to and alignedwith said wire engaging wall, a terminal in said cavity having a springleg slanting away from said opening, spring release means supported bysaid housing for engaging said spring leg and forcing said spring legfrom said opening, said spring release means including a deflectableshelf member extending from and unitary with said base wall outside ofsaid cavity spaced from and generally parallel to said wire engagingwall, projection means on said shelf member extending toward said wireengaging wall, and aperture means in said wire engaging wall alignedwith said projection means and with said spring leg.
 7. The wirereceptacle of claim 6, said projection means comprising a pair ofelongated projections generally parallel to the desired direction of areceived wire and spaced apart a distance greater than the width of thewire, and said aperture means comprising a pair of slots extending froma region adjacent the wire receiving opening.